If you have been diagnosed as having diabetes previously then yes, that diagnosis remains even if your HbA1c is 47. The criteria for joining the programme are an HbA1c of 43-87 on medication or 48-87 if off medication.

Yes, your nurse or practice pharmacist could confirm eligibility and arrange referral. They would just need to discuss medication adjustments with your GP.

The full list of inclusion and exclusion criteria are here: Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria 

In summary the main exclusion are: pregnancy or planned pregnancy, current breastfeeding, active cancer, heart attack or stroke in last 6 months, severe heart, kidney or liver failure, current drug use, active eating disorder, proliferative retinopathy (severe diabetes-related eye damage) and porphyria (a very rare inherited metabolic condition).

If you have been diagnosed as having diabetes previously then yes, that diagnosis remains even if your HbA1c is 47. The criteria for joining the programme are an HbA1c of 43-87 on medication or 48-87 if off medication.

Yes, if you are registered with a North West London GP (which includes GP at Hand), then they would be able to refer you as normal.

No, it's not one of the inclusion criteria.

However, it's important to understand that if you have a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes and your HbA1c is now below 48, the diagnosis of diabetes remains. The fact that you received a communication about the webinar suggests that you do have a record of Type 2 diabetes on your GP record.

The highest level of HbA1c for joining remains 87.

However, if your HbA1c is just above this then there are two options:

1) even losing a small amount of weight (up to 5kg) would bring your HbA1c down - you can learn about ways of doing this on the North West London Know Diabetes website here: Know Diabetes

or

2) speak to your practice nurse, pharmacist or GP about increasing your diabetes medication

If you arrange your referral quickly then you would still be eligible as long as you are 65 at the point of referral.

Yes you are within the catchment area, so long as you are registered with a GP in that borough.

During TDR we recommend light activity (for example going out for walks) due to the significant calorie deficit. Nearing the end of the of the 12-week TDR phase your coach will explore physical activity with you to kick off in the FR phase.

We do not recommend high-intensity physical activity such as running during TDR. It would be more advisable to undertake walking or brisk walks when at such a significant deficit. However, this can be discussed further with your coach to explore a tailored solution.

During TDR we recommend light activity (for example going out for walks) due to the significant calorie deficit. Nearing the end of the of the 12-week TDR phase your coach will explore physical activity with you to kick off in the FR phase.

This can be arranged with your coach so that you have a tailored approach to accomodate your cycling. We recommend lower impact exercise, however, if this is already part of your routine then adaptions can be made.

Unfortunately, current IVF treatment would be included in the pregnancy / planning pregnancy exclusion criteria.

Remission means having a non-diabetes blood glucose (sugar) level without being on medication for 6 months.

What we see in this programme is that losing about 15kg will give you approx 50% chance of achieving remission. How long it lasts is very much dependent on how well you keep the weight off that you lose during the programme.

You can find out more on the North West London Know Diabetes website: Know Diabetes:  Type 2 Remission 

If metformin is the only diabetes medication you are currently taking, then this would be stopped at the start of the programme.

Normally some or all of the diabetes and blood pressure medications are reduced or stopped, and you will have some regular blood glucose and blood pressure checks while you are on the programme.

Yes, you can join the programme if you have glaucoma, as long as you don't have any of the other exclusion criteria.

Yes, some or all of your diabetes and blood pressure medication will be reduced or stopped while you are on the programme. This will be agreed with your practice nurse or GP.

Normally, if you are on just one or two diabetes medications then these would be stopped. If you are on more than two then you would normally expect to remain on just the metformin over the course of the programme. Your blood pressure medication may also be reduced/adjusted.

Yes, you can start the programme if you are on Ozempic. Normally you would expect to stop this at the start of the programme, but the decision about whether to stop or not will be an individual agreement between you and your GP or practice nurse.

It is a challenging programme to undertake and it is important to be motivated and ready to change. You will be provided with a dedicated coach who will check in with you regularly (weekly initially then fortnightly) to support you through the programme. If you have the App you will also have a text chat option for any additional support needed.

We know and appreciate that social events and celebrations are likely to occur during your 12-week TDR phase. Your Counterweight Coach will work closely with you to plan for these events ahead of time. This may mean continuing the meal replacements during the event or having a planned meal and rejoining the TDR phase after the plan. We have content and support available to you during these times.

The cost of the programme is covered by Counterweight and NHS England. Counterweight will undertake all of your monitoring related to weight, blood sugar and blood pressure if relevant. You will need to visit your GP practice at 6 and 12 months after starting the programme and you will be required to continue undertaking your annual diabetes review. You will be provided with Counterweight's contact information for any queries that you may have. You will also have a dedicated coach who will assist you through the programme.

In order to join the programme you would need to visit your GP practice who would then refer you. The referral forms are available on all GP practice clinical systems. If you encounter any problems with being referred please don't hesitate to contact us on 020 3026 8800 or email info@counterweight.org

You are welcome to make use of CGM, this is, however, not provided by Counterweight so this would need to be privately arranged. Counterweight will undertake all blood glucose monitoring using an instant reading glucometer.

The programme is delivered on a 1-to-1 basis meaning that you would start when you are ready.

We know and appreciate that social events and celebrations are likely to occur during your 12-week TDR phase. Your Counterweight Coach will work closely with you to plan for these events ahead of time. This may mean continuing the meal replacements during the event or having a planned meal and rejoining the TDR phase after the plan. We have content and support available to you during these times.

We know and appreciate that social events and celebrations are likely to occur during your 12-week TDR phase. Your Counterweight Coach will work closely with you to plan for these events ahead of time. This may mean continuing the meal replacements during the event or having a planned meal and rejoining the TDR phase after the plan. We have content and support available to you during these times.

Yes, you would need to start the programme within 90 days of your individual assessment.

You will have the options of shakes, porridge and soup. If, however, you identify that you are struggling to adhere to the programme and would need fresh veg (as an example) for dinner, this can be discussed with your dedicated coach to tailor the programme to your needs.

All of our products are lacto-ovo vegetarian. Our Cappuccino shake, Vanilla shake, Leek & Potato soup and Chicken Noodle soup are ovo-vegetarian (i.e. do not contain milk). Our Cappuccino shake, Vanilla shake, and Leek & Potato soup are vegan. All of our soups contain onion powder. Only our Oriental Chilli soup contains garlic powder.

The recipes can be used during planned pauses or when the 12-week TDR phase has ended. There are, however, some recipes for meal replacements that can be used during the TDR phase.

The programme launched in February so referral numbers are still such that if you are referred we will accept provided you are eligible for the programme. You can find all the information related to the meal replaceemnts here:  Counterweight - Nutritional Information & Diet Suitability 

The 15kg/15% weight loss is over 12-weeks. The objective is to maintain this weight loss at 1 year and beyond.

This is not a requirement, however, if you don't aim to lose 10% or more this may not be the right programme for you and we would be able to signpost you to more appropriate options.

The programme commitment is 1 year.

During the 12-week TDR phase you will be provided with 4 meal replacements which would replace all 'everyday' food. This would be your only nutritional intake other than the fibre supplements, 50ml of milk (optional, for teas and coffee) and water.

1y = 46% of all particiants (irrespective of weight loss) achieved remission. For those who lost 15kg or more, 87% achieved remission.
2y = 36% of the 46% that achieved remission in year 1 maintained their remission status in year 2. Of those who maintained a 10kg weight loss, 64% were in remission at year 2.
5y = 12 out of 118 (10%) in the intervention group were still in remission at year five, compared to 5 out of 93 (5%) in the control group.
You can read more about the remission data and results here: Remission data and results  

All of our products are lacto-ovo vegearian. Our Cappuccino shake, Vanilla shake, Leek & Potato soup and Chicken Noodle soup are ovo-vegetarian (i.e. do not contain milk). Our Cappuccino shake, Vanilla shake, and Leek & Potato soup are vegan. All of our soups contain onion powder. Only our Oriental Chilli soup contains garlic powder.